tattering

Definition of tatteringnext
present participle of tatter
as in tearing
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it the little boy tattered that blanket beyond repair by repeatedly yanking on it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
See the Dictionary Definition 

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tattering
Verb
  • During a late-night safety test, the power plant’s Number 4 reactor exploded, tearing through the building and sending a column of radioactive material into the sky.
    Benjamin Mack-Jackson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The one that was about ambition and friendship and celebrating women, not tearing them down.
    Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • With two outs and Andruw Monasterio at second following a double, the slumping Caleb Durbin came up with one of his biggest hits of the season, ripping an RBI double to put the Red Sox ahead.
    Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Images of the fire showed flames ripping through the building as firefighters carried out an exterior attack to extinguish the blaze.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tattering. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster